Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Guess These 1980s Sitcoms From an Image?

Olivia Cantor

Image: ABC via youtube

About This Quiz

Do you know what a sitcom is? A sitcom is a genre exclusive to the television industry. That's because it's short for "situation comedy," wherein the jokes need preparation and build-up to elicit laughs. This kind of comedy category is different from the earliest kind of comedy we saw on film and later on TV as well, which is called the "sight gag."

Sight gags were big during the silent film era, since the performers didn't need any sound to elicit laughter. This comedy genre involved being physical, contorting the face for reactions and performing pratfalls or similar antics. A person slipping on a banana peel is an early example of this kind of comedy.

But the advent of sound, and later of television, changed the landscape of comedy. These days, we are very used to having comedy set up for us, via short anecdotes delivered by stand-up comedians for instance, or carefully calculated narrative plot points that reach a comedic climax. So the sitcom derives humor from specific situations that are set up for laughs.

The '80s are full of these great sitcoms with great set-ups. Thank the writers, actors and everyone else who made these sitcoms possible, because it's the hardest job in the world - to make people laugh! So, can you name these '80s sitcom gems? Give it a whirl and laugh your heart out reminiscing. Happy quiz-taking!

NBC via youtube

Can you guess this pivotal and legendary sitcom?

Webster

The Facts of Life

Diff'rent Strokes

The Cosby Show

"The Cosby Show" started its run in 1984 and it lasted until 1992, headlined by comedian Bill Cosby. Sadly, many now question the legacy he had in connection with this show, since many allegations of sexual abuse have come out, naming him as the perpetrator.

NBC via youtube

Can you guess this sitcom that made Michael J. Fox a star?

Designing Women

Family Ties

Silver Spoons

A Different World

"Family Ties" helped propel the U.S. back into a more conservative-leaning pop culture during the '80s, especially since Michael J. Fox's character was an avowed young Republican. His teen character, Alex P. Keaton, was very into Reaganomics. Many fans loved this show and his antics.

NBC via youtube

What’s this sitcom, set in a bar?

Cheers

Saved by the Bell

Mr. Belvedere

Newhart

This is the place "where everybody knows your name," and the bar featured in the TV show is called Cheers. The story is set in Boston, Massachusetts, and the bar's patrons are regularly featured in the show's narrative.

NBC via youtube

Female senior citizens ruled this show! What’s the title?

227

Mama's Family

Amen

The Golden Girls

"Thank You for Being a Friend" to millions of viewers, all four of you called "The Golden Girls." This show was such a huge hit back then, giving senior citizens' storylines great exposure in primetime television.

Fox via youtube

This show “legitimized” the concept of the dysfunctional family. What’s it called?

My Two Dads

Valerie

Married… With Children

Benson

Hollywood was producing many suburban sitcoms with wholesome figures, so it was indeed a huge departure to see a show like "Married… With Children" on the air at that time. The popular show debuted in 1986 and lasted until 1997.

NBC via youtube

This teen-oriented sitcom is called what?

Out of This World

It's a Living

Bosom Buddies

Saved by the Bell

One of the favorite teen shows barely in the '80s is "Saved by the Bell," which debuted in 1989 and stayed a hit until 1992. A majority of its stars enjoyed success outside the show as well when they grew up, most notably entertainment host Mario Lopez.

ABC via youtube

This nostalgic show was known as what?

The Wonder Years

Too Close for Comfort

Charles in Charge

Gimme a Break

The 1980s hit "The Wonder Years" was actually set during the late 1960s and early 1970s, depicting an America that was in the middle of the Vietnam War. While the show touched upon these issues, its main focus was on the lives of the families and children growing up in American suburbia.

CBS via youtube

This TV-themed sitcom was called what?

Three's Company

Happy Days

Growing Pains

Murphy Brown

Candace Bergen is forever known as "Murphy Brown" because of the success of this show she headlined from 1988 to 1998. But fans of the show are getting another chance to see the cast in action, since the show began airing again in 2018 - and the original cast members are still there for the ride!

ABC via youtube

This stand-up lady had a sitcom named after herself. What’s the title?

Perfect Strangers

Coach

The Dukes of Hazzard

Roseanne

The working class-focused sitcom, named "Roseanne" after no-nonsense comedian Roseanne Barr, was a huge hit in the late '80s up to the late '90s. They tried to revive it in early 2018, but network executives axed her and renamed the show after a racist tweet from Roseanne went viral.

ABC via youtube

What is this gender role-reversal sitcom?

Family Matters

Laverne and Shirley

Who’s the Boss?

Soap

A man is the live-in housekeeper in this show, hired by a female corporate executive. This setup became comedy gold for "Who’s the Boss?" You can see a teen Alyssa Milano here, who herself grew up to be such an empowered woman.

NBC via youtube

What’s this sitcom about a lovable girl?

Punky Brewster

The A-Team

Mama's Family

Police Squad!

"Punky Brewster" made the young actress Soleil Moon Frye a household name. The show ran from 1984 until 1988. She continued her entertainment career after the show ended, including her role on "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." She also did several hosting and voice acting gigs.

ABC via youtube

This “fish out of water” sitcom is called what?

Doogie Howser, M.D.

Fawlty Towers

It's Garry Shandling's Show

Perfect Strangers

The interesting 1986 TV series called "Perfect Strangers" introduced the concept of the hopeful English-challenged immigrant who came to America for a better life. The comedy was supplied by the fact that the naive immigrant came unannounced to live with a distant cousin in Chicago.

ABC via youtube

Which detective sitcom is this?

Moonlighting

The Tracey Ullman Show

The Hogan Family

Dear John

Bruce Willis was a comedic charmer in the hit '80s TV series "Moonlighting," where he and co-star Cybill Shepherd became famous for their antics and sexual tension. This was the main reason why the producers of "Die Hard" were initially hesitant to cast him as an action hero - but we're all glad they did!

NBC/ABC via youtube

This mixed-race comedy is called what?

My Sister Sam

Webster

Diff’rent Strokes

B.J. and the Bear

"Diff’rent Strokes" is the late '70s sitcom that continued its popularity until the show concluded in 1986. The show made a huge star out of Gary Coleman as well as the other young kids in the show, but they got mired in negative activities when they grew up until their deaths, which saddened fans.

CBS via youtube

Scott Baio headlined this one. What’s this show?

Charles in Charge

Square Pegs

Just the Ten of Us

St. Elsewhere

Scott Baio appeared in several other successful sitcoms prior to headlining his own, titled "Charles in Charge," which aired in the '80s. He actually became a TV director as well, handling TV episode directing gigs during the '90s.

‎Syndication via youtube

This suburban comedy is known as what?

Good Morning, Miss Bliss

Small Wonder

Only Fools and Horses

Blackadder

While it was a bit freaky for some people to see a young girl being "kept" in the closet of a suburban household, it's just part of the laughs that the show "Small Wonder" elicited. The sci-fi fiction involved an engineer dad who invented a girl-looking robot, which the neighbors think is a real human.

NBC via youtube

This college-set sitcom is known as what?

A Different World

Red Dwarf

The Young Ones

'Allo 'Allo!

"The Cosby Show" star Lisa Bonet got a spin-off show when her character went to college in "A Different World," so that is the basic premise of this newer show. She co-starred with Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison, prior to her departure from the show.

NBC via youtube

A puppet is the star of this show! What’s the title?

Yes Minister

ALF

Spitting Image

Bread

When a sarcastic-mouthed furry alien from another planet accidentally lands at a suburban California house, what do you think will happen? This is the outrageous premise that the show "ALF" exploited, which actually hit it big with TV audiences during the late '80s.

NBC via youtube

This legal sitcom is known as what?

Brush Strokes

Ever Decreasing Circles

Night Court

Terry and June

Who knew that there was comedy gold to be unearthed in a New York municipal court's night shift staff? This is the basic premise of the sitcom called "Night Court," featuring great actors such as Harry Anderson, Markie Post, Paula Kelly, John Larroquette, Richard Moll, Marsha Warfield and Selma Diamond.

NBC via youtube

This dorm-focused sitcom is named what?

The New Statesman

Open All Hours

Barney Miller

The Facts of Life

"Diff'rent Strokes" had a spin-off show, and that was "The Facts of Life." It started airing in the late '70s and ended its run in 1988. The spin-off starts with Edna Garrett transitioning from being the "Diff'rent Strokes" housekeeper to an all-girls dormitory housemother.

ABC via youtube

This sitcom made Kirk Cameron a star. What’s the title?

Seinfeld

9 to 5

Growing Pains

1st & Ten

"Growing Pains" basically sums up what every American household encounters, decade after decade. But this '80s sitcom depicted changing gender roles in American households. The psychiatrist dad worked at home, while the mom was out there pursuing her career as a reporter.

CBS via youtube

There’s a comedy about a war and some doctors. What’s the title?

Baby Boom

The Bad News Bears

Easy Street

M*A*S*H

The Korean War is where the story of "M*A*S*H" largely took place. It featured a mix of drama and dark comedy as well, based on the situation at hand. The popular sitcom starred Alan Alda as the chief surgeon and Loretta Swit as the head nurse of the medical unit.

Fox via youtube

This animated primetime sitcom was something new and novel back then. What’s the title?

The Simpsons

Empire

The Famous Teddy Z

Duet

Would you believe that the longest-running sitcom ever is "The Simpsons," which first aired in 1989? It actually started as segments in "The Tracey Ullman Show" back in 1987 before it was developed into a stand-alone show.

ABC via youtube

John Ritter was a hit here. What’s the title?

I Married Dora

Three’s Company

Karen's Song

It Takes Two

"Three’s Company" is the show that made comedian John Ritter an international star. He played the role of a guy pretending to be gay so he could share an apartment with two women. The sitcom started airing in 1976 and ended its run in 1984, with Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers as Ritter's original co-stars.

NBC via youtube

A bunch of public transportation drivers deliver the laughs in which sitcom?

Ladies' Man

Major Dad

Life with Lucy

Taxi

New York City cabbies are front and center in this award-winning sitcom, aptly named "Taxi." The show ran from 1978 to 1983 and featured notable celebrities such as Andy Kaufman, Christopher Lloyd, Carol Kane, Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, Jeff Conaway and Randall Carver.

ABC via youtube

There are dads and there are kids, but no moms. What do you have?

Park Place

New Monkees

Full House

Oh Madeline

What do you get when a widower asks his womanizing brother-in-law and goofy guy best friend to help raise his daughters? Apparently a hit formula, since "Full House" became just that back in the day. A reboot is on Netfix, under the title "Fuller House."

CBS via youtube

This radio-themed TV sitcom is called what?

Raising Miranda

Pursuit of Happiness

WKRP in Cincinnati

Roomies

Radio sitcoms were apparently a thing back in the '80s, and "WKRP in Cincinnati" tweaked that concept by featuring the lives of radio station staff in humorous situations. The cast included Loni Anderson and ran from 1978 to 1982.

NBC via youtube

This growing-up-themed sitcom is called what?

The Redd Foxx Show

Empty Nest

Private Benjamin

One Day at a Time

The sitcoms of the '80s were quite interesting, since they showcased many different kinds of families. "Empty Nest" featured an older pediatrician who was a widower, and his two grown-up daughters suddenly came back to live with him in their family home.

CBS via youtube

This comedy about a couple in a "deluxe apartment" is called what?

Sanford

Roxie

The Jeffersons

The Van Dyke Show

"The Jeffersons" was about a couple who moved to a "deluxe apartment in the sky." It featured an interracial couple, which was not yet common on TV, and it also had a largely African-American cast, one of the longest running series to have that kind of ensemble.

ABC via youtube

This high school sitcom is known as what?

The Thorns

We Got It Made

Zorro and Son

Head of the Class

"Head of the Class" is a sitcom about gifted students in an honors program, so of course we saw a lot of young actors there who grew up to become adult celebrities. Some of the them include Robin Givens and Leslie Bega.

NBC via youtube

This family-oriented sitcom is known as what?

Throb

Silver Spoons

You Again?

What a Country!

Ricky Schroeder headlined the show "Silver Spoons," where a younger Alfonso Ribeiro also appeared prior to being cast in "Fresh Prince of Bel Air." Jason Bateman occasionally appeared in the earlier seasons of the show, too.

ABC via youtube

What’s this working class women-focused sitcom called?

Laverne & Shirley

Ace Crawford, Private Eye

Baby Boom

Goodnight, Beantown

"Laverne & Shirley" actually started airing back in 1976, but it was popular enough to transition into the '80s. Penny Marshall played Laverne here, but she eventually became a director and a producer as well, just like her brother Garry Marshall.

CBS via youtube

These talented ladies ran the show! What’s the title?

Paper Moon

Just Our Luck

Making the Grade

Designing Women

It's interesting to see the diversity of professions in '80s television, so having a sitcom featuring interior designers is a good thing. "Designing Women" focused on the lives of designers in Atlanta, Georgia.

ABC/CBS via youtube

What’s this family-oriented sitcom called?

Square Pegs

The Munsters Today

Family Matters

The Love Boat

It's no secret that Steve Urkel, the geeky teen neighbor of the Winslow family, sometimes stole the show in "Family Matters." Jaleel White's portrayal soon became front and center in the show, which ran from 1989 to 1998.

ABC via youtube

This sitcom continued well into the ‘80s. What’s it called?

Happy Days

Working Stiffs

The Hogan Family

Bustin' Loose

Garry Marshall created "Happy Days" back in 1974, but its huge influence in the television landscape propelled it to continue in the next decade, until it ended in 1984. Future Hollywood director/producer Ron Howard and Henry Winkler were the stars of this show.

CBS via youtube

Many sitcoms had one-word titles, like this one. Can you guess it?

V

Flatbush

Newhart

Wiseguy

"Newhart" is an example of an earlier TV tradition, wherein the title of the show carries the name of the star, not the fictional characters or details connected to the story. So in "Newhart," comedian Bob Newhart played an author named Dick Loudon, and the series ran from 1982 to 1990.

CBS

This military-set sitcom came from a movie. Which one is it?

Get Smart, Again!

Double Trouble

Private Benjamin

Eisenhower & Lutz

"Private Benjamin" was a movie first - a 1980 comedy featuring Goldie Hawn playing the titular character. A TV sitcom was developed based on this movie, which aired from 1981 to 1983, with Lorna Patterson playing the TV version of Judy Benjamin.

ABC via youtube

Robin Williams popularized a few buzzwords in this sitcom. What's the title?

Mork & Mindy

Harper Valley P.T.A.

Out of the Blue

Mr. Belvedere

"Na-Nu Na-Nu!" That popular alien greeting was immortalized by the late great comedian Robin Williams when he played the alien Mork in the 1978 series called "Mork & Mindy." Pam Dawber played Mindy, to complete the titular partnered characters.

ABC via youtube

What's the title of this spin-off sitcom?

Tattingers

The New Odd Couple

Benson

We've Got Each Other

"Benson" was actually the sitcom spin-off of another popular sitcom, "Soap," where Robert Guillaume's character named Benson first appeared. This spin-off show debuted in 1979 and ended in 1986.

CBS via youtube

Sitcoms featuring character names in the title were very hip back then. Can you guess which one this is?

Kate & Allie

Archie Bunker's Place

Billy

Free Country

The '80s sitcom "Kate & Allie" featured two women who were divorced, sharing a house together. The show ran from 1984 to 1989, featuring Susan Saint James and Jane Curtin in the titular lead roles.

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